MSIAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS INVENT MAIN INGREDIENT IN MEDICINE FOR HEART DISEASE

PENANG (Malaysia), Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Researchers from University Science
of Malaysia (USM) have managed to produce the key ingredient in the medicine to
treat heart diseases by using a unique, environment-friendly method.

USM's School of Chemical Engineering dean, Prof Abdul Latif Ahmad said
the main ingredient known as L-homophenylalanine was produced using the
biocatalyst method combined with far safer enzyme and membrane technology, the
first by local researchers.

"L-homophenylalanine is already in the market, but the difference with our
product is the method used to produce it."

He said their product which would be less costly to produce, besides
contributing to the economy and community health development, was invented by
him and two other researchers, Oh Pei Ching and Dr Syamsul Rizal Abd Shukor.

"In our research, we introduced the biocatalyst method, which is
scientifically proven to be better and which avoids chemical use and the risks
of extreme chemical reactions."

He said the L-homophenylalanine production used a special system called
the membrane-enzyme bioreactor with a more compact design complete with
monitoring capability and automatic control.

"With this integrated system, we can produce L-homophenylalanine which is
genuine and of far superior quality, the environment-friendly way and at a lower
cost," said Abdul Latif.

He said the cost of one gramme of L-homophenylalanine was estimated at
RM2,500 (US$1=RM3.4), much cheaper than the imported commercialised product
which could fetch RM9,000 to RM11,000 for the same amount.

Abdul Latif said the L-homophenylalanine was targeted for sale to the
pharmaceutical industry or research institutions to produce medicines to treat
heart diseases which have killed more than 17 million of the world's population.

-- BERNAMA